(March 20, 2021)

The Vulcans posted a pair of run-rule victories on Saturday afternoon to sweep a doubleheader against Clarion at Lilley Field in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action, winning 11-3 in Game 1 and 9-1 in Game 2.

With the sweep, the California University of Pennsylvania softball team improves to 7-3 overall – all in divisional play. The Vulcans were facing the Golden Eagles for the first time since the 2018 season at the PFX Spring Games in Florida. Meanwhile, Clarion falls to 3-7 this season behind a 1-7 mark in league action.

In Game 1, the Vulcans scored at least three runs in three different innings to claim the 11-3 run-rule victory in six innings. Freshman designated player Shayna Postler finished 3-for-4 with three doubles, two RBI and one run scored. Senior first baseman Paige Wilson  went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs scored and one walk, while freshman center fielder Alyssa Young  finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, one run scored and one walk. Freshman second baseman Selena Jaquay  tallied two hits and two runs scored and freshman left fielder Jordan Pinneri posted a pair of hits.

Cal U tied the score at 1-1 on a two-out error in the bottom of the first before scoring three runs in the third. The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to 4-2 in the top of the fourth before the Vulcans responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Wilson delivered a two-run double to left center before scoring on a double by Postler. In the sixth, the Vulcans forced the run-rule victory with fourth-straight RBI hits.

Freshman Kaitlyn Leary  earned the victory after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks in 5.0 innings (83 pitches). Clarion starter Rebecca Kelley suffered the loss after surrendering four runs (all earned) on six hits and three walks in 3.0 innings (73 pitches).

In Game 2, the Vulcans scored six runs after benefiting from two errors in the bottom of the fifth to post the 9-1 run-rule victory. Young finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Wilson, Pinneri and freshman Britney Wilson  all registered a pair of RBI, while senior catcher Brooke Wilson  scored two runs.

Cal U scored on a fielder’s choice in the second and added one run on a sacrifice fly in the third. The Golden Eagles scored on a ground-out in the top of the fourth before Britney Wilson collected a two-out, pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the inning. The Vulcans sealed the victory in the sixth by scoring runs in a variety of ways – three singles, error, ground-out and sacrifice fly.

Junior Kelsey Barron allowed just two base runners (double, error) and one run (earned) over 5.0 innings (71 pitches) while earning the complete-game victory. Clarion starter Megan Anderson was saddled with the loss after yielding nine runs (three earned) on six hits in 4.0-plus innings (91 pitches).